Myeloma Expert Dr. Philip McCarthy To Field Questions At The Beacon Forums Next Week – During the week of December 13 through 17, multiple myeloma patients will have the opportunity to get expert answers to their myeloma-related questions: Myeloma expert Dr. Philip McCarthy from the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY, will answer medical questions posted to the Beacon’s multiple myeloma forums throughout the week. Readers are encouraged to start posting their questions in the forums.

BT-062 Is Safe In Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (ASH 2010) – The investigational drug BT-062, which is being developed by the German company Biotest AG, is safe in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients, according to the Phase 1 trial results presented at the 2010 Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). Researchers tested seven different dose levels (10 mg/m² to 200 mg/m²). Researchers observed severe skin- and mucous membrane-related side effects at the highest dose level. They therefore determined the maximum tolerated dose to be 160 mg/m². A sufficient amount of anti-myeloma activity was observed for this drug to continue to Phase 1/2 testing, which puts more emphasis on the efficacy of the drug. For more information, please see abstract 3060 on the ASH annual meeting website.

ARRY-520 Shows Single-Agent Activity in Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma (ASH 2010) – Phase 1 clinical trial results presented at ASH earlier this week showed that the experimental drug ARRY-520 (filanesib) from Array BioPharma has anti-myeloma effects as a single agent. Four of 30 relapsed/refractory myeloma patients enrolled in the study responded to treatment. ARRY-520 was administered intravenously at different doses (1 mg/m² to 2.25 mg/m²) on days 1 and 2 of a 14-day cycle with or without growth factors.  The maximum tolerated dose was 1.25 mg/m² ARRY-520, but the dose could be increased with the addition of growth factors. The most commonly reported side effect was low white blood cell counts. Inflammation of the digestive tract mucus membrane was observed at higher dose levels.  The maximum tolerated dose in combination with growth factors, which is still being investigated, will be used in the Phase 2 trials that Array BioPharma plans to initiate soon. For more information, please see abstract 1959 on the ASH meeting website and the Array BioPharma press release.

Panobinostat Combination Shows Potential For Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (ASH 2010) – According to Phase 1 trial results presented at ASH, the oral experimental cancer drug panobinostat (Farydak, LBH589) from Novartis showed promising results in combination with melphalan (Alkeran), prednisone, and thalidomide (Thalomid). Of the 24 relapsed/refractory myeloma patients enrolled in the study, 50 percent responded to the treatment, with 17 percent achieving a very good partial response. However, the initial dose of 15 mg of panobinostat was associated with severe side effects (low white blood cell counts in 69 percent of patients and low platelet counts in 46 percent).  Therefore, researchers decided to lower the dose to 10 mg. The rate of low platelet counts decreased, but the rate of low white blood cell counts remained high. The researchers concluded that different dosing schedules need to be investigated to further decrease the rate of blood-related side effects. For more information, please see abstract 3019 on the ASH meeting website.